Author: Dee & Gee

Let me just start by saying that it is really hard to keep this list to just ten locations for landscape photography. The Sapphire Coast has to be one of the most stunningly photogenic locations of Australia (though I may be a bit biased). A lot of landscape photographers make the trip down here to photograph two of the entries on this list but I can’t help but feeling that it is a lot like going to one of the best restaurants in the world and only ordering an entrée. So let me introduce you to just ten of the best photographic locations of the Sapphire Coast.

Fishpen is most famous for Mitchies Jetty. There are so many people with such happy memories of here that good spirits pretty much permeate the atmosphere permanently. There are lots of great photographic opportunities here- Mitchies Jetty, of course. This little private jetty. A nearby jetty and slipway combined. The pelican sculptures. And one of the best things about this location is that it is a short and easy stroll from any one of the many fantastic holiday places in Merimbula. I could go on about how many other places in Merimbula are fantastic photographic opportunities but it’s time to move on to the next location.

It was a toss-up here between Pulpit Rock and nearby City Rock on Green Cape. Fisherman are of course very familiar with both spots, especially Pulpit Rocks land based game fishing. Green Cape Lighthouse is also pretty well known. I decided that Pulpit Rock was perfect for this list due to its sheer overwhelming hugeness. It is also perfect for dramatic Milky Way shots so long as you take LOTS of care as it is a dangerous location. Make sure you check all your weather and tide details and take all necessary precautions. The payoff is if you are here at the right time of year you may just get whales dancing in your shots. It is so deep here that the whales come so close to shore you can almost touch them.

We only recently got the chance to shoot here. It’s been on our “to do” list for ages. There are such awesome rock formations at both ends of the beach but this lovely formation at Quondoa Point is just something special. It’s also something of the “holiday” choice as the best way to shoot here is to simply stay at the caravan park. Then it’s just a short stroll to one of the most awesome beaches in the Sapphire Coast.

Pambula Rivermouth has almost endless photographic opportunities- most famous of which is the Pambula Boat Sheds. Definitely a shot to have from any trip to the Far South Coast. Lions Rock is just so impressive and the the river mouth sand is constantly changing the surrounding rocks. Tides also play a huge part in choosing a composition at this location. However you choose to tackle this imposing rock, you are sure to end up with a pretty impressive image.

You could spend weeks at both Saltwater Creek and Bittangabee campgrounds and never have to shoot the same thing twice. Saltwater Creek gets the nod for this list because in all our years of shooting here, it has never been the same twice. I’m pretty sure the sand has swallowed up this rock pool almost in the shape of Australia again. But given the vagaries of sand and tide who knows when it will become visible again.

Now I wish I could tell you exactly where this shot was taken. Truth is I don’t exactly know. But if you are on the Sapphire Coast and you want to take photos but it’s wet overcast day, then you need to head to the mountains. Take one of the many road adventures winding through the very extensive South East Forests. For example take Mt Darragh Road to Cathcart, turn left and follow the Coolangoobra Forest Way (bonus points if you find the hidden waterfall). When you get to the end turn left again on Mt Imlay road. There are plenty of tempting little side adventures there so just see how you go for time. Mt Imlay Rd will get you back to the Princes Highway and if you turn left again you’ll be back on your way to Eden. There is something about South East Forests that just feels like stepping back in time- as if bushrangers are just around the corner.

The Panboola Wetlands are a birdwatching, bike riding, and photographic gift from nature. I honestly think that the wetlands are worth the trip the Sapphire Coast all by themselves. It’s perfect for both sunrise and sunset landscape images; nature, wildlife and bird images; and divine for portrait photos. What’s not to love about this stunning location? Ok, the bugs but all you need is industrial quantities of bug spray and you’ll be fine.

So no list of photographic locations of the Sapphire Coast is complete without this and the next entry on this list. Yes, they are both AMAZING. And yes, they should absolutely be on any landscape photographers bucket list, but you have to be prepared to share when you shoot here. It’s getting rarer and rarer to get the place to yourself. Having said that, this otherworldly rock formation will never get old.

It has everything you love about Horsehead and Camel Rocks. It’s a super awesome rock formation that looks a little bit like the Sorting Hat from Harry Potter. It is easier to get to, though there is still a need for caution as it is something of a mad scramble down a very steep track that is almost impossible to see in the dark. We recommend a reconnaissance trip before you intend to shoot. And it amazing at either dawn or dusk. Dawn shots of Old Man Rock highlight the stunning white quartz shooting through him in crazy patterns. Sunset shots offer amazing skies and during winter the chance to capture the sun setting through one of the holes in the rock.

So there you have it, our list of our favourite landscape photo locations. Every year we find somewhere we didn’t already know about and we’ve been exploring this area now for many years. So let us know if you know somewhere that should have been on this list.

We recently had the opportunity to explore Adelaide and the Limestone Coast of South Australia. If you haven’t had a chance yet to explore the this amazing piece of Australia yet we highly recommend it. It is very much worth the drive from the east coast. Two of our main highlights were Semaphore Beach- an Adelaide suburb and Robe, which is down the coast about a 4 hour drive away. Continue reading →

They say practice makes perfect so when our friend Brett Ritchie invited us on a shoot last Sunday we jumped at the opportunity. Makeup artist extraordinaire Kelsey Lane needed some updated images of her work and had rounded up a couple of her most patient friends and a talented hairdresser, Lily. Continue reading →

Ben Boyd National Park is one of our favourite places anytime of the year, with its dramatic coastlines and abundant wildlife, but this time of year is extra special as the whales make their annual migration south. Circumstances have prevented us from being in the right place at the right time until now. Continue reading →

We got the chance to head back to one of the most beautiful locations on the Sapphire Coast this weekend exactly a year after we had shot it last. Wonboyn and Nadgee are just an hour south of us. Beautful, remote, tranquil- this little village and the neighbouring nature reserve are the ultimate escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Continue reading →

We headed up to the Snowy Mountains over the weekend with some good friends of ours to capture the turn of the season. There’s something especially magical about both autumn and spring as the world moves from warm to cold and back again. This time we wanted to catch the movement from crisp autumn into cold winter. And where better to see that than the Snowy Mountains with their peaks covered in crisp white. Continue reading →

One of the most beautiful jewels of the Sapphire Coast is Bermagui and Gee surprised me with a whirlwind Mother’s Day get away there. He pretty quickly learned that surprise getaway’s to Bermagui should be planned a bit further in advance as Bermi books out quite quickly, even in the cooler weather but with some persistence and lots of phone calls he found a little gem of a room at the pub. Continue reading →

Sometimes it’s fun to break all the rules and just have fun with photography. We’ve just added a new gallery to our home page with some of our favourite art images. You are welcome to check them out and let us know what you think. Plus, we’d love to see yours as well. Feel free to leave a link in the comments here to your favourite images that break all the rules…